Customized Parasite Control

We are fortunate enough not to live in a place where parasites are always affecting every animal. However, this doesn’t mean we’re immune or there are no parasite concerns. The following provides some information concerning the most frequent parasites we encounter in our patients.

Heartworm Disease

Since spring of 2008, we’ve been recommending all dogs and outdoor cats in the valley be on a heart worm prevention therapy during the summer months. Trends show the mosquitos that transmit this disease are living at increasing altitudes and lower temperatures. Due to the severity of the disease it is best to be on the safe side, which means spring time testing and summertime preventative treatments. Call for more information about heartworm disease any time!

Intestinal worms may vary in severity and may or may not cause signs you would notice. Transmission is usually through eggs in feces, eating a prey animal that is a host (usually rodents), mother’s milk, or in utero. In dogs, worms can cause diarrhea or vomiting and in extreme cases pneumonia and intestinal obstruction. In humans, some worms can cause a serious diseases. Children are especially prone to contracting zoonotic parasites, so routine fecal exams and check ups will not only keep your dog healthy but will reduce any risk to you and your family.

Ectoparasites can cause a variety of symtoms ranging from itchy skin to systemic disease. We see ticks, lice, mites and occasional fleas in the Yampa Valley.

Ticks can be a vector for diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, and Lyme Disease. While not every tick bite is cause for great concern – tick checks each day are extremely important because they allow for prompt removal of the tick! While we are not as great of a risk area for the diseases transmitted by ticks, we do have positive cases that never left the valley. Therefore, prompt removal and identification is useful – if you have questions please call!

Lice are contagious among species but do not spread to humans or other species (A dog with lice will not be able to spread the infection to cats or humans). Each year we see lice infestations spreading through the population with the chief symptom being intense itchyness! If your dog or cat is itching like crazy, we need to see them for an exam.Handout on lice:Lice in Cats and Dogs

There is a new kidney screening test, the IDEXX SDMA™ Test, that enables the identification of chronic kidney disease in cats and dogs months or even years earlier than traditional blood tests. It is estimated that over 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 10 dogs will develop kidney disease in their lifetimes.

We're offering this test for free if your pet has had a Wellness exam with us in the last year. Those yearly Wellness exams are super important in picking up diseases that are easier to treat or even prevent in the early stages. This new SDMA blood test can be a game changer as kidney disease is often silent until it causes significant clinical signs! Take advantage of this amazing new test!!

What is kidney disease?

Your pet's kidneys play an important part in filtering and removing waste from the body. Kidney disease occurs when something causes these functions to be compromised and it typically falls into two categories:

CKD can happen for a variety of reasons: kidney stones, infections (including Lyme disease in dogs), toxins, injuries, genetic abnormalities, cancer, and others. If kidney disease is suspected, your veterinarian will work with you to determine the underlying cause of the disease and create the best treatment or management plan for your pet.

What are the signs of chronic kidney disease?

Regular checkups and screenings are an important part of catching kidney disease as early as possible. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine your pet's kidney function on a regular basis depending on their symptoms, age and other factors.

What is the treatment for chronic kidney disease?

• Feeding a high-quality, kidney-supportive diet, often as wet food to help with hydration.

Once my pet is diagnosed with CKD, what's the long-term management and monitoring plan?

As your pet ages and his or her condition changes, different diets, medications or additional fluids may be needed. Because of this, your veterinarian will work with you to monitor your pet's condition by rechecking your pet's kidney function with blood and urine tests. With early chronic kidney disease, your pet may need a recheck only two or three times a year; more visits are often helpful as the disease progresses.

Look at these beautiful cats looking for homes. Go say hi and see if one steals your heart!

Calling all introverts! Do you know an introvert who you love in your life? So do we! Please help our more insecure or shy cats get adopted by giving them a 30-day adoption trial in your home. Our shy kitty adoption fees will be 20% off for the rest of March. Nixon, Brix, Alba, and Samantha would all love a home before spring comes! ... See more